Yes, painting your trim the same color as your walls is a highly popular and timeless design technique (often called "color drenching"). It creates a seamless, cohesive look, simplifies the decorating process, and can actually make smaller rooms appear larger by removing the stark visual cutoff points at the baseboards.
Painting walls and trim the same color is commonly called color drenching or monochromatic paint. This design technique involves saturating an entire space in a single hue, often extending the color to the doors and ceiling as well.
Warm, nature-inspired off-whites and "greiges" (a balance of gray and beige) are the most popular wall colors right now. Homeowners are moving away from stark, cold grays in favor of soft, inviting tones that make spaces feel cozy and bright.
Red is universally considered the hardest paint color to cover. Vibrant red pigments are highly transparent and inherently prone to bleeding through subsequent layers. Other notoriously difficult colors to cover include black, dark blue, dark green, and bright yellow.
There is no strict rule, as both lighter and darker baseboards can look fantastic depending on your design goals. It ultimately comes down to the aesthetic you want to achieve.
Minimalist and flat baseboards are currently the most popular. The contemporary design focus is on clean lines and subtle elegance rather than ornate millwork.
To make a home look expensive, rely on sophisticated neutrals, earthy greens, or muted blues rather than stark whites or highly saturated brights. High-end spaces feel cohesive and intentional, using layered tones, natural materials, and high-quality finishes to create a calm, custom feel.
Top 10 Timeless Paint Colors for Your Home
Cool gray is being replaced by "mushroom" neutrals (warm taupes and greys with subtle green or violet undertones), warm earthy khakis, and soft, natural sages.
Here are five paint colors that real estate professionals and designers consistently recommend to help homes sell faster and for more:
Interior designers are moving away from stark cool whites, "millennial gray," and heavily saturated accent colors. These rigid hues can make spaces feel cold or clinical. The shift is toward warmer, earthy, and highly nuanced tones that prioritize depth and coziness.
Discover the transformative power of blue: Dulux Colours of the Year 2026. Embrace the versatile family of indigos: a vibrant Free Groove™; an airy light blue – Mellow Flow™; and the meditative dark blue – Slow Swing™. These soulful indigo blues creating a blue colour family that's both calming and space-changing.
Most Popular Colors
A range of our most popular home interior paint colors, from gray to beige to greige — and every shade in between. These designer-favorite shades are time-tested and livable.
Painting your trim the same color as your walls is a bold design choice that can transform your space into a cohesive and modern retreat. By carefully weighing the pros and cons and considering the unique characteristics of your room, you can make an informed decision that suits your aesthetic and practical needs.
When it comes to trim and molding, it's always a good idea to opt for something timeless to prevent your home from looking outdated. Gaines' preferred paint color is just that — a strong pure white that will never go out of style. This might just be the perfect color for your trim too.
The best way to paint trim is to follow a strict "Prep over Paint" routine to ensure an even, long-lasting finish.
Deep green, navy blue, charcoal, and warm neutrals like beige or taupe make a bathroom look expensive, especially when paired with brass or gold fixtures. Rich, moody colors create a luxurious spa-like feel, while high-contrast neutrals like creamy white or soft grey enhance sophistication and space.
Avoid painting bedrooms in high-energy or intensely saturated colors like bright red, vibrant orange, or deep purple, as they can disrupt sleep and cause anxiety. Designers recommend steering clear of dark, gloomy shades like black or charcoal (especially in low light), as well as neon tones or cold, flat greys that make a room feel clinical.
Blue: calmness, serenity, peace
Blue has the opposite effects of red and is the most soothing color. Primary blue is used in therapeutic settings for meditation and relaxation because it helps you unwind, find peace, and become more comfortable expressing your inner feelings.
To make a home look expensive, rely on sophisticated neutrals, earthy greens, or muted blues rather than stark whites or highly saturated brights. High-end spaces feel cohesive and intentional, using layered tones, natural materials, and high-quality finishes to create a calm, custom feel.
Colors that do not combine
Kitchen cabinet colors that feel dated include stark, clinical all-white, cool minimalist grays, and red-toned woods like cherry or honey-oak. Flat, one-dimensional brown-on-brown color schemes and overly bright primary colors have also fallen out of style.
Colors that look expensive usually fall into two categories: rich, dark jewel tones and soft, neutral "quiet luxury" hues. Instead of bright, loud colors, high-end aesthetics favor muted tones, deep saturation, and thoughtful, monochromatic combinations.
Making your home look luxurious on a budget comes down to editing and elevating the details. You can instantly upgrade your space by decluttering thoroughly, hanging curtains closer to the ceiling, updating outdated cabinet and door hardware, and styling with oversized wall art.
Dark or muddy browns, intense reds or purples, neon shades, certain pastels, cool grays and primary colors often appear harsh in natural light, absorb excess heat or feel out of place depending on climate and neighborhood context.